Editor’s Note
- A representative from Medan supports the idea of regional administrator elections by the Regional People’s Assembly.
- Strengthening the legislative branch in its oversight of the executive branch.
- Direct elections for regional administrators could lead to divisions.
- Evaluation of the system of direct elections for regional administrators.
A representative from Medan supports the idea of regional administrator elections by the Regional People’s Assembly
The head of the Gerindra faction in the Medan Regional People’s Assembly, Tia Ayu Anggraini, supports the Gerindra party’s proposal for regional administrator elections (Pilkada) by the Regional People’s Assembly.
According to this woman wearing a headscarf, regional administrator elections by the Regional People’s Assembly have a greater positive impact on society than direct elections.
Strengthening the Legislature in Overseeing the Executive
One of the points is strengthening the role of the DPRD as a legislative body in exercising its oversight function over the regional administrators as executives.
“Until now, the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) has not fully supported the regional administrators and has not listened to them. Because they are directly elected by the people, the regional administrators feel directly accountable only to the people. However, the DPRD’s function is clear: to represent the people in overseeing the administration of the executive, both in terms of budgeting and policy,” he told various media outlets on Friday (January 9).
He stated that if the regional administrators were elected by the DPRD, the DPRD would have a stronger position in determining the direction of regional government policy. “The DPRD would also have a stronger driving force in ensuring that all policies established by the regional administrators are in the best interests of the people,” he said.
Direct regional elections can sow divisions
The chairman of the North Sumatra Tidar PD believes that direct regional elections can create divisions in society, especially between groups supporting the winning and losing candidates.
“Direct elections create divisions between winners and losers. For example, terms like ‘anak abah’ (child of the abah), ‘gemoy’ (poor child), and other terms still exist. This has affected gubernatorial elections, and even elections for regents and mayors. If the elections were conducted by the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), community unity would be better maintained,” he said.
Tia also emphasized the high costs associated with direct regional elections, both for the government and for the candidate groups.
“The costs of campaigns and elections are too high, forcing the winning candidates to seek ways to recoup the capital they spent during the campaign. This leads to widespread corruption among regional officials. Regional officials embezzle the regional budget (APBD) to cover campaign costs, while the community bears the losses,” he emphasized.
Evaluation of the Direct Regional Election System
Therefore, he believes it is time for the government to conduct a thorough evaluation of the direct regional election system.
“We see that direct regional elections cause more harm, so this deserves an evaluation. It is clear that this is in the interest of the people, not the political elite or other parties,” he concluded. ***was
